Systems and methods for supporting phase adjustments over docsis

Abstract

A method for adjusting a phase error includes a first device detecting a phase error at a timing interface of the first device. The first device modifying a DOCSIS timing protocol parameter based upon the detected phase error. The first device causing a modification of a second device's timestamp output in a manner based upon the detected phase error by the modification of the DOCSIS timing protocol parameter.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for adjusting a phase error comprising:
 (a) a first device detecting a phase error at a timing interface of the first device based upon receiving SyncE timing protocol;   (b) the first device modifying a DOC SIS timing protocol parameter based upon the detected phase error;   (c) the first device causing a modification of a second device's timestamp output in a manner based upon the detected phase error by the modification of the DOCSIS timing protocol parameter;   (d) wherein the DOCSIS timing protocol parameter is decreased over time after the modification.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a DOCSIS timestamp is modified over time as the DOCSIS timing protocol parameter is modified in an opposing direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the DOCSIS timestamp is modified at a rate within a range specified by a corresponding DOC SIS protocol. 
     
     
         4 . A method for adjusting a phase error comprising:
 (a) a first device detecting a phase error at a timing interface of the first device based upon receiving SyncE timing protocol;   (b) the first device modifying a DOC SIS timing protocol parameter based upon the detected phase error;   (c) the first device causing a modification of a second device's timestamp output in a manner based upon the detected phase error by the modification of the DOCSIS timing protocol parameter;   wherein the DOCSIS timing protocol parameter is t-cm-adj.